Chapter 8 - NEXT MOVE (1)

1002 AF

He is now two of age

At two years old, Arial reached a hypothesis of how his bizarre time travel came to be after he racked his brain.

And he had a lot of time to think about it since the only thing he could do as a baby is limited.

There were many things he thought about a she tries to divine the reason.

In the end he reached one conclusion in particular.

He knew it must have had something to do with the strange runic markings he had found in the library.

At first, he had mistakenly believed that it was a dissipating spell that sacrificed anything which held energy, but that would have meant everything in the Empire would disappear, not just the people.

It was then another thought sprouted in his mind.

He came to the wild conclusion that the runic marking was a type of Time-Space magic.

Time Space Magic. When he first thought of it, he wanted to discard it.

But after what happened to him, he could not help but came to that conclusion.

Such magic was deemed impossible, and so was not practiced or learned, but Arial had read in Levitia's journal details about such magic, and even how to successfully perform it.

In Levitia notes however was only theory and the magical theory flew over Arial head as he could not make head or tails of it.

And there is probably another reason why the hero of humanity, Levitia never intend to use such magic.

A sacrifice was needed to serve as energy to power up the runic markings.

It was then hat Arial mind finally accepted something. The Archmage uses that runic marking and dissipated all the souls in the Vern Empire

Arial finally understood the Archmage's intention, and how he could sacrifice so many lives.

If everything can be turned back, then what's the harm? That was probably the thoughts of the Archmage

Arial had a reason to believe that The Archmage intended to be the one who travel back in time.

He was supposed to have been the vessel, but Arial assumed his spiritual energy had prevented him from crossing over.

He has a theory about that.

The difference in spiritual power and the internal energy that he and the Archmage possessed.

Spiritual power also refers to magic energy. The reason why he believe in this theory is because he once read about this in one of Levitia journals.

It describes in detail about Time Space Magic and its application and prerequisite to even successfully attempt to use a Time Space magic.

The sacrifice was needed and serves as energy to power up the runic markings.

Not only did Arial have less spiritual energy than him, but he had sacrificed more people adding the already dead people that the Archmage have sacrificed at the runic markings and so he was able to break through the barrier of time.

Arial was brought to another realization: if he went through with his plan in strengthening his internal energy, it was likely that he wouldn't be able to go back through time again if the war was lost.

Because it would exceed the limit.

Still, he continued his meditation and it wasn't long before his internal and spiritual energies reached Commander level.

He had made his decision long ago.

Levitia's technique was strong, no, it was mighty, and Arial developed at a much faster rate than if he had used regular training methods, but his body was immature, and he still could not fight using swords.

His physical body couldn't keep up. If only internal energy, he doubts anyone on this village could even hold a candle to him.

But physical strength that's different

He of course had some plans

His childhood years would be spent helping his father collecting money, and maybe one day when he was grown up he would fight in some tournament, and become a knight under the patron of a lord.

He needed to make a name for himself, he must have influence to gain allies and defend his village when the time came.

Then there are other matters.

He also needed to certify some truths – did the emperor of Vern Empire really send people to kill Azrael's bride?

If he had, perhaps Arial could prevent the orders or kill the assassin and ensure the war never even happened.

But it could easily have been a lie, the words planted by the Dark Prince's men to use as an excuse to invade.

Or maybe there is a misunderstanding.

'How close to the truth can I get?' he thought to himself. With his current position as a peasant man, what does he knows about the secret of High Lords and Ladies.

He need to climb up higher to know some things. As he was thinking deeply, his mother come to him and tickle him and Arial like always pretended to laugh.

Then she patted him in the back and sing a song trying to make him sleep. Arial pretended to sleep in the crib and her mother finally move away from her to plant seed in her garden.

Arial continued his meditation.

He had to cultivate it every day.

"Matter and non-matter produce each other. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short define each other. Fore and aft follow each other." Arial recited the teaching in his head.

"It can never be emptied and can never be filled. Infinitely deep, it is the source of all things. It dulls the sharp, unties the knotted, shades the lighted, and unites all of creation with dust. It is hidden but always present."

Power coursed through Arial's body like a tree taking light from the sun. His mind became rejuvenated, his mind clear, his body light.

Taking a breath, he stopped his training and revised his objectives once more.

If he failed to gain influence and allies, the only thing he could hope to rely on was his past knowledge and strength.

Armed with the knowledge of all the books in the library and the technique of Levitia, he prepared himself for another day.

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